This forwarded text is directed to the orthodox-synod list,
with copies to the orthodoxjurisdictions, orthodox-tradition
and rocaclergy groups, and to the www.rocorcafe.com
forum
==========
Few things being available in English, I thought that the
following should be posted here for the information of
our larger ROCA audience. Unfortunately Fr Vladimir
Boikov no longer posts here because of unexplained
(I asked) objections to certain other members' (not just
Fr Basil's) postings. Since his is a public statement
posted to unrestricted public forums, forwarding it does
not violate any rules of the rocaclergy list where this
was also posted.
As a non-participant in the Nyack conference, to me the
most interesting observation in Fr Vladimirs' introductory
comment is an affirmation of what I had assumed:
" In general, I saw two polarized minority camps at
the meeting, and an overwhelming majority of priests
in the middle."
I wonder if, by this, Fr Vladimir means the same thing
that Fr Andrew Phillips meant when he identified
"narrow-minded fanaticism" as being of "the intolerant
liberal variety or the sectarian isolationist variety"
Many view the issues between ROCA and MP with a
narrow and simplistic black and white understanding -
particularly fanatics in the extremes. It is my contention
that the clergy's opinion follows a gaussian distribution
with only a minority of clergy in +/- two opposite poles
- albeit these are very vocal minorities whose voices are
amplified on the internet beyond their numbers. Of
the two it is the intolerant variety that most disturbs me
because I am frequently reminded that on the orthodox-
synod list I am "too tolerant" (of those who object to
the liberal agenda). Which just acts to prove to me the
truth of Fr Andrew's words about intolerance. I do not
presume to define where in the spectrum is the mid-point
of the distribution of opinions, but it seems to be closer
to union than isolation - particularly amongst those in
attendance in Nyack..
pr. Mark
For context, I repeat the quotation from Fr Andrew that
I posted last month:
"As before, we shall continue, unperturbed by enemies
from all sides who over the years have hated us and
attempted to hijack and disfigure the Orthodox Christian
Tradition that we have inherited and to which we are
faithful. As before we shall continue to tread the royal
path, the middle way, resisting the extremes of narrow-
minded fanaticism, be it the intolerant liberal variety or
the sectarian isolationist variety. The Church will go on,
and the gates of hell will not prevail.
Priest Andrew Phillips, Seekings House"
===============
From: "Vladimir Boikov" <frvlad@c...>
Dear Fathers and Brethren,
I was a participant of the Nyack ROCOR Clergy Conference
and asked that my thoughts on the subject of the Unity of the
Russian Church be entered into the minutes of the meeting.
Unfortunately, there was little time for everyone to speak, but
with Vladyka Metropolitan's blessing I was able to deliver this
short talk during dinner on Thursday. These are my thoughts
on the Feast of the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God.
This was delivered in Russian and I offered to post this on the
web for our English speaking priests. Unfortunately, I left my
black folder in Nyack (has anyone seen it?) in which I kept
the original hand-written version in Russian. I will post this in
Russian when I have completed another translation into
Russian.
When I asked Vladyka Metropolitan's blessing to deliver
this to the conference, I added that these words would be
peaceful, humble, and apolitical. It seemed to me that all
the fathers received them in that manner, I hope you will
also.
I would just like to add that Fr. Protodeacon Basil from
Canberra is doing a major disservice to the Great Russian
Church by posting anonymous comments on the meeting
from someone who is obviously on the vocal minority
opposition. In general, I saw two polarized minority camps
at the meeting, and an overwhelming majority of priests in
the middle. It seems to me EVERYONE agrees that
dialogue is needed. The main difference is the timing and
speed of any rapprochement/intercommunion.
All of us should wait for the official communiqué from the
meeting to be posted on the Synod web-site to see the
document EVERYONE LABORED (and it was a great
LABOR) over for so long on Friday morning.
Please accept the following words as my contribution to
the eventual union of the Great Russian Church:
I dedicate these comments to my 4 children. May they
soon see the day when, without guilt - either real or
imagined, they may commune of the Body and Blood
of Christ from one Chalice with the children of Frs.
George Mitrofanov and Maxim Kozlov.
Last night at the Vigil (for the feast of the Kursk-Root
Icon) I found the need to say this simple prayer before
the Kursk-Root Icon: "Most Holy Lady, help us to
come to a peaceful resolution." Later, standing in church
during the vigil, I realized that the Most Holy Mother of
God has already shown us the way, for we call Her the
"Hodigitria" - the Pathfinder, and what we need to turn
our attention to is what has already happened to her Holy
Icon By God's Providence, the way to resolve this
situation has already been shown to us.
Instructional Miracle from the Past (forgive me for any
historical inaccuracies!)
There was a certain Holy Icon found in the gnarled roots
of a tree. A chapel was built, and many prayed with great
fervor to the Most Holy Theotokos. In time, because of
the sins of the people, God allowed the barbarians to
overrun that place. The barbarians took the holy icon and
defiled it, splitting it in two with a sword and throwing the
pieces in opposite directions. The barbarians split the image
of Christ depicted in the womb of the Mother of God,
and it would have seemed that the icon was lost forever. It
would have seemed that the two pieces could never again
be joined together, although each part, never ceasing to be
part of the Holy Icon, could exist independently.
They took away the priest and imprisoned him. After a
certain time the priest was freed, and instead of seeking
retribution or revenge upon his captors, he returned to
his former place of service. Finding the two pieces of the
sundered icon, he prayed, and put the pieces together.
A great miracle occurred: In miraculous fashion, the icon
joined together to its former glory. However, at the point
where the pieces fused together, a line could be seen, a
permanent reminder of the godless act that had defiled
the Holy Icon, a permanent reminder that this abomination
should never happen again.
From then on, first in the Homeland and later on in the
Diaspora, the Holy Icon fulfilled the needs of everyone
who came to the Most-holy Theotokos with faith and
love, trusting in the great power of the Mother of God
to help the helpless.
Is this not a mirror-image of the modern history of our
beloved Church? I think it is. Just tell the story like this:
There was a certain Land called Rus' found in the
gnarled roots of paganism. A Great Russian Orthodox
Church was built and many prayed with great fervor to
the Most-holy Theotokos. In time, because of the sins
of the people, God allowed the godless Communists
to overrun that Great Russian Church. The barbarians
took the Holy Church and defiled it, splitting it in two
with many swords, and throwing the two pieces in
opposite directions. It seemed that the Great Russian
Church was lost forever, that the two parts could never
be joined together. But each part could exist indepen-
dently, for each always remained part of the Great
Russian Church.
They took away the priests and imprisoned them.
Some of the priests were killed. Others served their
captors - whether for personal gain or for the
benefit of the Church, God will judge. We condemn
the sin, but dare not condemn the sinner! Some
escaped, and led a relatively peaceful and quiet life
- albeit filled with many hardships and labors - in a
distant land. But the Most-merciful God and His
Most-holy Mother knew that the people needed
THEM, so gradually, after a certain time, those
priests became free. Instead of seeking retribution
or revenge upon their captors, they returned to their
former place of service. Those who abroad were
overjoyed to see the gradual return of those in
captivity, for they had prayed for many years for
that very thing. But, unfortunately, the Lord God
has not yet allowed the two parts of the Great
Russian Church to be MIRACULOUSLY joined.
When that great miracle occurs, the Great Russian
Church, just like the Most Holy Kursk Root Icon,
will be left with scar, a visible remnant of division,
a remnant to warn future generations of what can
happen to the Body of the Church because of man's
sins.
In my opinion this visible remnant of division is the
following and forgive me ahead of time for the
following over-simplification.
Abroad, this remnant takes the form of maintaining
"willful ignorance" towards God's commandments,
while we have battled against, are battling against,
and will battle against, all the "isms." (In that regard,
I would respectfully submit that our version of anti-
communism, in my opinion, has bred more hatred
than love, and if not hatred, then indifference and
hardness of heart. Therefore is an evil that we must
now try to expose and overcome - Yes, we still
do have a lot of anti-communists among us). Are
we successful? Let each of us ponder upon this
and answer for himself!
In Russia this remnant takes the form of for the most
part un-willful, but also, willful ignorance towards God's
commandments as the result of almost 80 years of
godless atheism which the MP has battled against, is
battling against and will battle against. Are they
successful? Let us not judge them - God will do that.
Conclusion
Let us pray to the Most Holy Mother of God that She
intercede for us before Her Beloved Son to find it
necessary to join the two parts of the Great Russian
Church. It seems to me that only a miracle will bring this
about. Let us pray that we accept that there will forever
be remnants of the past in our Great Russian Church -
She will NEVER be the exactly as She was, just as the
Kursk Root Icon, our Hodigitria, has never been the
same after She was split by the barbarians.
From then on the Holy Russian Church in all its
FULLNESS and GLORY will fulfill the needs of
every person, both in the homeland and in the
Diaspora, who comes to the Most-holy Theotokos
with faith and love, trusting in the great power of
the Mother of God to help the helpless.
I prostrate myself before and revere the podvig of
our Fathers in the Church Abroad, for they have
kept sacred that wonderful Treasure with which
they were entrusted. Let them share it, so that it
not waste away in the end!
I prostrate myself before and revere the great majority
of Fathers of the MP, for they root out and destroy
the follies of the Evil One, and instill the Russian people
with the very same Treasure that we have known
throughout our history. Let us share in it with them, that
we not be left outside on the Great Feast of the revival
of our Great Faith!
In Christ
Priest Vladimir Boikov
Assistant Priest
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
Washington DC
It is good to be seeing a priest not being afraid to talk publicly against the new ROCOR liberal party line!